WO2020096464A1

WO2020096464A1 - System and valve for directing a flow of fish in water

Info

Publication number: WO2020096464A1
Application number: PCT/NO2019/050242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Atle Gunnar STORVIK
Original assignee: Cflow Fish Handling As; Astorplast As
Priority date: 2018-11-06
Filing date: 2019-11-06
Publication date: 2020-05-14
Also published as: NO344973B1; NO20181423A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for transporting a flow of fish in water, comprising a number of pipes connected to each other by at least one valve. The valve comprises a housing 10, having one inlet 20 and at least four outlets 21, 22, 23, 24, the housing encloses a member 40 having a curved path 46 for accommodating the flow of fish in water. The member 40 is arranged to rotate around an axis A-A running axially through the centre of the inlet 20, and a first end 27 of the path is connected to the inlet 20 at all times. The valve also comprises an organ 44 for pivoting the member.The invention also relates to a valve to be used in such a system.

Description

System and valve for directing a flow of fish in water

The present invention relates to a valve for directing a flow of fish in water from one location to another.

Background of the invention

There is a need for moving living fish from one location to another, for instance moving farmed fish between fish farms and well boats, without hurting the fish, and without reducing the vitality of the fish. A common method is to transport the fish in water, through hoses and pipes, for instance by using pumps, reduced pressure or establishing a siphon effect between the locations. Other methods are also well known in the art.

Well boats often have several tanks for fish, and normally they have an installed pipe and hose system for transporting fish from one tank to a different tank. The system normally includes means to direct the flow of water and fish to the desired tank and to switch to another tank when desirable. When the boat has four tanks, a common setup is using three three-way valves to direct the flow from a fish cage and into four different fish tanks. In such a setup, the fish will flow through at least two valves on their way to or from the well boat. A three-way valve is for instance known from Steinvik AS under the trademark Aquatrans®.

It is important that the transportation is gentle to the fish, and thus the number of bends, valves and pumps should be kept low as they always represent a risk for hurting the fish. If the bends or curves are too abrupt, or the flow rate is too high, the fish may hit the inside of the pipe and be hurt. When farmed fish is moved from one location to another, they should continue living, and preferably continue growing, and thus it is very important not to reduce their vitality.

The main object of the invention is to create a new system, reducing the risk of harming the fish during transportation. Another object is that it should be possible to connect the new system with present systems, and that the system should be easy to clean and maintain. Yet another object is that the system should be cost efficient and reliable, with few periods out of operation for maintenance. Finally there is an object that the system should occupy less space than existing systems.

The invention

The objects of the invention is achieved by a system for transporting a flow of fish in water, and a valve to be used in such a system, as defined in the independent claims. A number of non-exhaustive embodiments, variants or alternatives of the invention are defined by the corresponding dependent claims.

In a first aspect of the invention a system is provided for transporting a flow of fish in water, and comprises a number of pipes connected to each other by at least one valve. The valve comprises a housing having one inlet and at least four outlets, the housing encloses a member having a curved path for accommodating the flow of fish in water. The member is arranged to rotate inside the housing, around an axis running axially through the centre of the inlet, and in such a way that a first end of the path is connected to the inlet at all times. The valve also comprises an organ for rotating the member.

A second aspect of the invention is related to a valve to be used in such a system, and a third aspect of the invention is related to use of a valve for transporting a flow of fish in water.

In a preferred embodiment, the member is arranged to rotate between four positions, wherein a second end of the path is connected to an outlet at each position. In this document "connected to" should be understood to mean both "aligned with" wherein the openings are arranged opposite to each other in such a way that any fluid flowing out of one opening will flow into the other, and "attached to" whereby the member is attached to the housing by any means, such as seals or fastening devices.

In this document "transport of a flow of fish in water" means moving living fish in water from one location to another location, for example moving farmed fish between fish farms and well boats. The transport should be performed without hurting the fish, and without reducing the vitality of the fish, as is well known to a skilled person.

The system and valve according to the present invention may be used to replace valves in existing systems, and/or to remodel an existing system by adding new valves, and then existing pipes will be connected to the inlet and outlets of the valve. The new system and/or valve should therefore not demand more space than the existing system and/or valve being replaced. The system and valve may, of course, also be used when installing new systems.

The valve of the present invention is designed to be connected to a number of pipes constituting a system for transporting a flow of fish in water, meaning the valve has means for connection to a number pipes. In this application "means for connection" is preferably a flange but can also be any other suitable means for connections that are obvious to the skilled person.

The valve is used in the system to control and direct the flow of fish in water, from one location to another location, for example from a fish cage in the sea to a desired tank. The locations receiving the flow are connected to an outlet of the valve, and the location wherefrom the flow is removed, is connected to the inlet, the connections are preferably made by pipes. The valve controls and directs the flow of fish in water into the different locations by rotating the member and thereby connecting the path running from the inlet to the different outlets.

The valve has a housing having an inner cavity and one inlet and at least four outlets to the cavity, meaning the valve has at least five openings. Even if the openings are named inlet and outlets, the flow can be running in the opposite direction, leaving the inlet to be an outlet and vice versa. Hence, the valve provides for at least four possible different passageways or paths for the flow of fish in water.

A member is arranged in the cavity of the housing, the member has a curved path for accommodating the flow of fish in water. The member has a thorough hole making the path which, when installed in the housing, is aligned with and/or connected to, the inlet and one of the outlets. The path makes it possible for a flow of fish in water to flow from the valve inlet through the path within the member, and to an outlet of the valve.

The path is "curved" meaning that it has no abrupt bends or edges. The curved path is preferably continuously curved along the whole length of the path, and will enhance a laminar flow in the path. The first and second end of the path may not be curved due to attachment and/or connections to the housing etc, which will be obvious to a skilled person. A cross section of the path is preferably circular or oval, in order to avoid any injuries to the fish and to enhance laminar flow, but also due to hygienically reasons.

The valve according to the invention further comprises an organ for rotating the member inside the housing. The member may be rotated around an axis running axially through the centre of the inlet of the housing, in this way the member may be rotated between positions where a second end of the path is aligned and thus connected to the different outlets. This is referred to as the valve being in an open position.

In an alternative embodiment, the member may be rotated to a position where the second end of the path is not aligned with or connected to any outlets, and thus the member is preventing the flow of fish in water. This referred to as the valve being in closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the member is has a circular plan surface from which a body is protruding, all cross sections of the body parallel to the surface, are circular and the area of the cross sections are reduced as the distance to the plan surface is increased. Possible shapes are a hemisphere, dome, cone, frustoconical cone and the similar. The member is preferably solid, and the path is a curved thorough hole, running from the flat surface to the side of the body. The cavity inside the housing enclosing the member, should preferably have the same shape as the member, having the inlet on the flat surface, and thus the member will rotate in the housing while the flat surface is bearing against the flat surface of the housing. The path running from the flat surface to the side of the body is a curved thorough hole, and connects the inlet of the housing to one of the outlets.

Hence, when the valve is in an open position, the flow of fish in water flows from a pipe connected to the inlet of the valve, through the curved path of the solid member, and further to one of the at least four outlet. As the flow of fish in water reaches the valve outlet it may flow further into another pipe connected to the valve outlet and then further into a desired location, for example a tank.

The above said shape of the member provides a number of advantages. The member and housing may be designed in such a way that the member fills substantially the whole cavity of the housing and makes it possible to reduce vibrations from the flow of fish in water. When the member substantially fills the cavity of the housing, it provides for a more water tight valve. Further, as the flat surface of the member bears against the flat surface of the cavity, the member may only rotate in the plane of the surface. As the inlet to the valve is on the flat surface, the forces acting on the member from the flow of fish and water will be perpendicular to the flat surface, and since the member is only rotating in the plane of the flat surface, the given shape of the member reduces the risk of unintentionally moving the member out of position, substantially.

In a preferred embodiment, the member has no further plane surfaces, meaning that the member is shaped as a hemisphere or dome, which will reduce any friction between the member and the housing. A member and a housing shaped as a hemisphere or dome will also be less space demanding once installed, and less materials will be needed to manufacture the valve, which gives less costs.

In one embodiment, the organ for rotating the member is at the top of the

hemisphere. The organ may be connected to a motor or other device for automatic or remote control, or it may be operated manually. It is an advantage to arrange it on top of the hemisphere, as a direct connection between the organ and the member is possible.

In one embodiment, the curved path inside the member is about 90, preferably 15- 75, preferably 30-60 or more preferred 45 degrees from the inlet to the outlet. As defined above, the path is curved gradually, and the curve will not harm the fish. In another embodiment, the system may need even larger changes of direction, and then the curve may be correspondingly adjusted, even to 90 degrees or more.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing comprises inner paths from the cavity to the outlets, these inner paths may be curved for one or more of the at least four outlets. The curves are preferably 75-15, more preferred 60-30 or most preferred about 45 degrees, depending on the arrangement of the system.

By having a valve with an about 45 degree curve in the path through the member and an about 45 degree curve in inner path of the housing, a total curve of 90 degrees is achieved, without any acute angles or bends which may harm the fish being transported through the valve. The total curve of the valve, and which part is more curved of the path of the member and the inner path of the housing, will depend on the system as a whole, which will be obvious to a skilled person.

In one embodiment, the at least four outlets are substantially perpendicular to the inlet, meaning that an axial axis through the outlets are substantially perpendicular to the axial axis through the valve inlet.

In one embodiment, the at least four outlets are substantially in the same plane, meaning that an axial axis through the at least four valve outlets, are in the same plane.

In one embodiment, the at least four outlets are arranged at the same angle to the inlet, meaning that the axial axis through the centre of each of the at least four valve outlets are arranged at the same angle to the axial axis of the valve inlet. The system and the valve of the present invention, eliminates the need for three tree-way valves and reduce the amounts of bends the fish need to pass. In addition, it reduces the complexity of the system by replacing three valves with one valve, both regarding possible breakdowns and maintenance. Further, it is an advantage that fewer valves need to be operated when switching between tanks, as it will reduce the risk for failure. Further, the valve is easy to clean and maintain and with few periods out of operation for maintenance. The system and valve itself, and in cooperation with for instance the member, the inlet, and/or the outlets are preferably designed to minimize leakages when a flow of fish in water is flowing through the system. This may be achieved by packings, seals and the similar which is obvious to the skilled person The size of the valve, comprising the housing, the member, the inlet, and the at least four outlet, is adapted to the specific use of the valve. The same regards a possible curved inner path in the housing from the cavity to the outlets and whether all outlets are arranged identically and/or in the same plane. Preferred materials of the valve and member are rigid, water tight and water resistant, both for fresh water and sea water. Further, the materials should resist loads induced from the flow of fish in water, and not be harmful to the fish. Examples of materials of the valve may be plastic or steel or any other material obvious to the skill person.

Reference throughout the specification to“one embodiment” or“an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases“in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily refer ring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more

embodiments. Example

The invention will now be described with the help of the enclosed figures, showing a valve according to the present invention. The different parts of the figure are not necessarily in scale to each other, as the figure is merely for illustrating the invention.

The invention will in the following be described with reference to the enclosed figures, where

Figure 1 shows a valve according to the present invention, in perspective from above,

Figure 2 shows a valve according to the present invention, from a side, and

Figure 3 shows a valve according to the present invention, in a section view taken along the axis A-A of Figure 2.

The following description of an exemplary embodiment refers to the drawing, and the following detailed description is not meant or intended to limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Fig. 1 and 2 shows a valve according to the present invention, comprising a housing 10 having one inlet 20 and four outlets 21 -24, each equipped with means for connection to a pipe of a system. In the figures the means are shown as a flange 30- 34. The housing 10 is preferably hemispherical having a flat surface opposite the hemisphere.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of the valve, along axis A- A as indicated in Fig 2. The housing 10 has a hemispheric cavity accommodating a hemispheric member 40. A flat surface 41 of the member 40 is resting on a flat surface of the cavity, opposing the flat surface 42 of the housing. The member 40 is arranged to rotate around an axial axis in the centre of the inlet, the axis is shown as A-A in Figure 2. The member has a curved path 46 for accommodating a flow of fish, wherein the path 46 has a first end 47 connected to the inlet 20 of the housing, and a second end 48 connected to outlet 21 in Figure 3. The second end 48 of the path may however be connected to the other outlets of the housing by rotating the member 10. In the shown embodiment, the housing has an inner path 43 from the cavity to each of the outlets. The path 46 inside the member has a curve of about 45 degrees and the inner path 43 of the housing is also curved about 45 degrees, making the total path through the valve about 90 degrees. The shown valve is symmetrical, and all the outlets are in the same plane.

The member 40 is, on the top of the hemisphere, attached to an organ 44, being arranged on the outside of the housing. The organ 44 is shown as handle in the figures, but may be directly connected to a motor or another device for remote control. The member 40 can be rotated inside the housing by rotating the organ 44, and the second end 48 of the curved path 46 will align and connect with any one of the other outlets 22-24, thereby connecting inlet 20 to one of the four outlet 22-24. On the inside of the housing 10 four sealing elements 51 -55 (only two seals 52, 54 is shown on the figures) is placed encircling each of the outlets 21-24, and another sealing element 50 is encircling the inlet 20. This is to tighten the connections between the member and the housing, and to avoid leakages when the valve is in use. Once the second end 48 of the path 46 aligns with an outlet, it will be connected to the outlet due to the sealing elements.

The member 40 can be made of one solid piece of material shaped to follow the curvature of the inside of the housing 10, and penetrated by the curved path 46. The example above is given to illustrate the invention and should not be used to interpret the following claims limiting. The scope of the invention is not limited by the example give above, but the following claims. Modifications and amendments of the invention, being obvious to a person skilled of the art, should also be included in the scope of the invention.

Claims

1 . A system for transporting a flow of fish in water, comprising a number of pipes connected to each other by at least one valve, the valve comprises a housing (10), having one inlet (20) and at least four outlets (21 , 22, 23, 24), the housing encloses a member (40) having a curved path (46) for accommodating the flow of fish in water, the member (40) is arranged to rotate inside the housing around an axis (A-A) running axially through the centre of the inlet (20), and a first end (27) of the path is connected to the inlet (20) at all times, and an organ (44) for pivoting the member, wherein the member has a circular plan surface from which a body is protruding, all cross sections of the body parallel to the surface, are circular and the area of the cross sections are reduced as the distance to the plan surface is increased.

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the member (40) is hemispherical having a flat surface opposing the hemisphere, and the path (46) is a curved thorough hole running from the flat surface, to the side of the hemisphere.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the path is curved about 15-75 degrees, preferably 30-60 degrees and more preferred 45 degrees.

4. A system according to any one of the claims 1 -3, wherein at least one of the four outlets (21 , 22, 23, 24) are curved about 15-75 degrees, preferably 30-60 degrees and more preferred 45 degrees.

5. A system according to any one of the claims 2-4, wherein the organ (44) for pivoting the member (10) is at the top of the hemisphere.

6. A system according to any one of the claims 1 -5, wherein the at least four outlets (21 , 22, 23, 24) are substantially perpendicular to the inlet (20).

7. A valve to be used in a system according to any one of claims 1 -6, comprising

- a housing (10) having one inlet (20) and at least four outlets (21 , 22, 23, 24), the housing (10) encloses a member (40) having a curved path (46) for accommodating the flow of fish and water, the member (40) is arranged to rotate inside the housing, around an axis (A-A) running axially through the centre of the inlet (20), and a first end (47) of the path is connected to the inlet (20) at all times, and

- an organ (44) for pivoting the member,

wherein the member has a circular plan surface from which a body is protruding, all cross sections of the body parallel to the surface, are circular and the area of the cross sections are reduced as the distance to the plan surface is increased.

8. A valve according to claim 7, wherein the member (40) is hemispherical having a flat surface opposing the hemisphere, and the path (46) is a curved thorough hole running from the flat surface, to the side of the hemisphere.

9. A valve according to any claims 7-8, wherein the path is curved about 15-75 degrees, preferably 30-60 degrees and more preferred 45 degrees.

10. A valve according to any one of the claims 7-9, wherein an outlet is curved about 15-75 degrees, preferably 30-60 degrees and more preferred 45 degrees.

1 1. A valve according to any one of the claims 8-10, wherein the organ (44) for pivoting the member (40) is at the top of the hemisphere.

12. A valve according to any one of the claims 7-1 1 , wherein the at least four outlets (21 , 22, 23, 24) are substantially perpendicular to the inlet (20).

13. Use of a valve comprising a housing (10), having one inlet (20) and at least four outlets (21 , 22, 23, 24), the housing encloses a member (40) having a curved path (46) for accommodating the flow of fish in water, the member (40) is arranged to rotate around an axis (A-A) running axially through the centre of the inlet (20), and a first end (27) of the path is connected to the inlet (20) at all times, and an organ (44) for pivoting the member, for transporting a flow of fish in water.

14. Use of a valve according to any one of claims 7-12, for transporting a flow of fish in water.